GREEN COD. 257 



however, to be decidedly distinct from the Pollack, in hav- 

 ing its jaws nearly equal in length : in the Pollack the 

 under jaw is by much the longest ; the lateral line in the 

 Green Cod is straight, in the Pollack the lateral line is 

 curved over the whole length of the pectoral fin. Mr. 

 Couch in his MS. considers the Green Cod as the young of 

 the Coalfish, with which it certainly agrees in both the par- 

 ticulars in which it differs from the Pollack, but differs also 

 decidedly in colour from the Coalfish. It seems to combine 

 in itself the colouring of the Pollack with some of the pecu- 

 liarities of the Coalfish, but appears also to be deeper for its 

 length than either ; though if the young of a large species, 

 judging by analogy, that would not be the case. 



Following the example of the Northern naturalists, who 

 have opportunities of making constant comparison between 

 this fish and the Coalfish from the abundance of both, and 

 who have hitherto considered them distinct, the Green Cod 

 is here allowed a separate place. The figure is from a draw- 

 ing by Mr. Couch, whose opinion is entitled to attention ; 

 and the subject invites the investigation of those who are so 

 located as to be able to obtain examples of both. 



Not possessing a specimen, the description here given is 

 derived from the Prodromus of M. Nilsson. The under 

 jaw scarcely longer than the upper ; the tail deeply forked ; 

 the lateral line straight, white ; the colour of the back dark 

 green, passing by degrees into silvery grey on the sides. 



From six to twelve inches is the usual size allowed to the 

 Green Cod ; M. Nilsson gives it a length from two to three 

 feet, and adds that it spawns in winter. 



The number of fin-rays as stated by Linnseus : 



D. 13. 20. 19. : P. 17 : V. 6 : A. 24. 20. : C. 40. 



Dr. Fleming adds, " Teeth in the upper jaw, numerous, 

 strong." 



VOL. II. S 



